2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Utah
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Utah
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration & social service, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Our analysis ranked Snow College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in Utah. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,497. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $42,754. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $55,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,132 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,038 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $56,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
